Alan Baylock is a really cool dude. He directs the One O'Clock at my school, UNT. Every time I've gotten to talk to him after a performance, he's been really gracious and appreciative of the people coming to see the band.
Incredible. I can't decide if it makes me happy or sad that the tightest big band performances these days are mixed student/faculty groups playing recitals on a saturday morning at universities I've never heard of.
Brian MacDonald plays lead trumpet in the US Air Force Airmen of Note, and was formerly with Maynard’s band. Super strong and big sound- very efficient, and he’s surgically accurate (like at 100%) Over my 20 years living in DC and hearing him numerous times, I have never heard him miss anything nor play anything that wasn’t in great taste for the piece! Genuinely nice and humble guy too, like all the truly greats are!
